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Flood Raises Nuclear Concerns; Wildfire Rages Near Nuclear Lab; Movie about Palin Debuts; Will and Kate Wow Wimbledon Crowd; Blagojevich Shocked by Conviction; Blagojevich "Stunned" at Conviction; Syria: Not Attacking Protesters; Greece Protests Turn Violent; Casey Anthony Trial; LZ: "I'm Trying to Raise a Nerd"

Aired June 28, 2011 - 09:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, guys. Thanks so much.

It's 9:00 a.m. on the East Coast and 6:00 a.m. our West.

The Casey Anthony murder trial. Jurors may hear from the man who found the little girl's body. The meter reader who stumbled across Caylee's remains could testify as a defense witness.

Also in court legendary Boston crime box Whitey Bulger. Police find $800,000 in cash hidden in the walls of his apartment. Now a federal judge will decide if he will pay for his attorney.

And as you just saw in Greece, a two-day nationwide protest turning violent. Police firing tear gas, as thousands of people protest massive cuts by the financially strapped government. We'll take you there.

We begin in the nation's heartland this morning. Even the calm assurance is a bit unsettling but don't worry, Nebraska residents are being told it's nothing like the flood that triggered Japan's nuclear crisis.

That much appears true but concerns are rising right there with the water line. The Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant just north of Omaha is surrounded by two feet of water. Now to the south the overflowing Missouri River has crept within several feet of the Cooper Nuclear Power Station.

Now both facilities are designed to handle several more feet of flooding. But here's the concern. In Japan, it was floodwaters not the earthquake that led to the March meltdown at a nuclear plant.

Brian Todd is in Fort -- or at Fort Calhoun, rather, with the latest.

So, Brian, what are you seeing this morning?

BRIAN TODD, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, it's a 24/7 battle to keep the floodwaters away from the key buildings at this facility. We got an inside look at some of the damaged areas yesterday evening. And the visuals are pretty dramatic. There's floodwater all around. It is lapping up against some of the key buildings here. They have berms erected, they have small levees erected to keep the key buildings safe and they are safe right now according to officials here.

What they're trying to protect are the buildings housing, the reactor core, and the spent fuel rods but they're also trying to protect the network of electrical transformers. Those transformers power the pumps which operate the cooling systems, keeping that core, keeping the spent fuel rods from getting overheated.

Those transformers are completely surrounded by water. They're pumping water out of them but they say that the transformers are safe and that they are operational. Still, as you mentioned, this does lead to the inevitable comparisons of that catastrophic event in Japan three and a half months ago. And I asked the CEO Gary Gates, is this another Fukushima?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GARY GATES, CEO, FORT CALHOUN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT: It's not another Fukushima. The main difference is the rapid flooding that occurred at Fukushima. This was a predicted event to a degree from the Corps of Engineers.

The floodwaters at Fort Calhoun are outside the plant. There's no water inside the plant.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: But that is an ongoing situation where they're trying to keep the waters outside and they are battling that 24/7. They're working in shifts here and they say that they are confident that they can keep this water from going in and that the water will not exceed levels that they can't handle -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Brian Todd, we'll monitor it with you. Thanks so much.

Now in New Mexico, it's fire, not flooding, that's causing concern there. And the states are equally sobering. A raging wildfire has raced to within a mile of one of the nation's most secretive research centers for national security.

We are talking about the Los Alamos National Laboratory. It's now closed a second day as firefighters battle back the wind-driven flames.

Now this is the place where the first atomic bomb was developed and plutonium is still housed. But officials say all nuclear and hazardous materials are protected and safe. Some 11,000 people have fled that area.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't know when we leave if we'll have a home to come home to.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We started packing last night because I wanted to be prepared and -- so we had everything packed in the cars last night. Now we're just getting a few last minute things. The cat and the hamster.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Meteorologist Rob Marciano following this for us.

So what do we think? The weather conditions? The crews? Is it going to be tough?

ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, zero containment right now. That's not good. The only thing that is good right now is that the winds are relatively light. But this is a big fire. We've got two in New Mexico, one in the eastern corner of the state, and then this one, the larger one -- we'll zoom into it. This is the one that's knocking at the doorsteps of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

There it is right there. We'll spin the map around. We're looking down towards the south and west where that -- where those flames are coming from. And the winds that will be increasing out of the south as we go through time.

So this has happened before. I think it was back in 2000, where flames got very close and even took a couple of the buildings out of the lab. So we've got to get a handle on this before too long. We've got big-time heat. We've got some record-breaking low levels of humidity in the cross parts of the southwest and the winds are going to be picking up.

Today, we don't have a fire weather watch but we've got low visibility with the smoke that's being blown from the south and again those south and southwest winds are going to be picking up from time to time here. Poor air quality as well.

Are we going to get any help from rain? This is -- now we're into the monsoon. We typically get some showers this time of year, but we haven't seen a whole lot of that, Kyra, and as we go through the next couple of days, winds are going to be on the increase. So hopefully today they get some work done as far as containment is concerned.

Back to you.

PHILLIPS: All right. Rob, thanks.

MARCIANO: You bet.

PHILLIPS: Michele Bachmann loved their hometown history but still contends she is a sensitive and serious person. The GOP presidential candidate not only got her John Wayne's mixed up of cowboy and a serial killer, but she also said that the Revolutionary War began in New Hampshire. Here's how she explained it this morning on CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. MICHELE BACHMANN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, of course, they were just misspeaking and that happens. People can make mistakes. And I wish I could be perfect every time I say something, but I can't. But one thing people know about me is that I'm a substantive, serious person, and I have a very strong background.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, all eyes on Iowa today. Months before the state's caucuses kick off the 2012 presidential contest, President Obama and Sarah Palin also there.

CNN's political producer Shannon Travis joining us.

So, Shannon, let's talk about Palin and her movie premiere first.

SHANNON TRAVIS, CNN POLITICAL PRODUCER: Yes. I mean yesterday it was Michele Bachmann and today it's Sarah Palin. Are they kind of competing with each other is anyone's guess, Kyra.

As you mentioned, Sarah Palin will be in Iowa today. Why? To premiere her movie, or at least the movie that she stars in. It's a documentary called "The Undefeated." A lot of our viewers probably have heard about it, probably have seen clips about it. It's going to be a huge premiere in Pella, Iowa, today. It's about 40 minutes away from Des Moines, Iowa.

And she's going to be there for this. So it's going to be a big thing. No clue if there'll be red carpets or, you know, like a Hollywood-type premiere but it's going to be a pretty big thing.

And as you mentioned also President Obama will be in Iowa, not anywhere near this movie premiere but he will be in Iowa as well today. We all know that all of these presidential candidates, possible presidential candidates, and Palin and the president himself are going to Iowa because it is, obviously, an important state. It holds the first in the nation caucuses -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: So -- all right. We have talked about Newt Gingrich's campaign losing staffers. Now another candidate has a staffer jumping ship. Fill us in on that -- Shannon.

TRAVIS: Yes, Herman Cain is hoping that what happened to Newt Gingrich doesn't happen to him. We just learned yesterday that two, two of the Republican presidential candidate's staffers quit. One of them was the New Hampshire state director for Herman Cain. He was really the only person working for Herman in New Hampshire. The other was a regional director named Jim Zeiler who left as well. Both of them resigned.

The campaign is saying hey, this is not really a big deal, Kyra. You know people come and go, people get other opportunities, and were going to quickly replace those people. But one of the New Hampshire state director Matt Murphy, he told the "New Hampshire Union Leader," a newspaper there in New Hampshire, that he quit because the Cain campaign was not seriously investing time, money, and resources into New Hampshire.

So the campaign is saying one thing, at least this one guy, Matt Murphy, is saying something else. What's really true is anyone's guess. But the campaign is tamping down that this does not spell trouble for the Herman Cain campaign -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Shannon, thanks.

For all the latest political news you can always go to our Web site, CNNPolitics.com, 24.7.

Well, you thought the Williams sisters were known for their tennis dress. Well, it was the Duchess of Cambridge who actually wowed the crowds at Wimbledon.

Zain Verjee, I hear Kate Middleton's dress actually sold out in 30 minutes.

(LAUGHTER)

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I know. Isn't that amazing? It's just boom. It goes instantly, you know, around the country and all of the shops here.

You know, William and Kate did show up. It was a surprise. And Kyra, they were holding court over at Wimbledon. They were there basically to cheer Andy Murray, the British tennis player. And he won his match. And they socialized a little bit with Billie Jean King and there was even some places where you caught them doing the Mexican wave.

Prince William didn't look to into it, though, but eventually I think Kate nudged him and he did do it.

Let's take a look at the headlines, though. Because the big news is Venus and Serena Williams are out. The "Irish Independent" has this headline. "Kate serves up a smile, despite early exit for Williams sisters." It says, speaking of their defeat, it goes on and says, "The shock waves rippled through Wimbledon. If not the end of an era, it was certainly the diminishing after an aura."

And then, Kyra, check out "The International Herald Tribune." The headline, "The comeback ends." It says, "It remains very much to be seen whether it marks a clear end to the Williams era at Wimbledon but it seems premature to make sweeping conclusions even if Serena Williams is now 29 and Venus Williams is 31."

The other big upset was the number one seeds. Caroline Wozniacki also out of Wimbledon.

The big talking point, too, Kyra, today is Rafael Nadal, sprained his ankle. We don't know if he's going to be able to continue or not. He went on and played an amazing game and he won but they are doing MRI scans and we're going to find out today whether he'll be able to continue.

PHILLIPS: All right. We'll be following all the Wimbledon news. Thank you, Zain.

Well, when terrorists struck New York, it was the USS Carl Vinson that answered the call. Now these decks will be the site of the -- NCAA basketball game on Veterans Day. North Carolina taking on Michigan State. We're going to actually talk to Coach Tom Izzo in just about half an hour.

And convicted on 17 of 20 counts, we're going to find out what kind of prison time former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich can be looking at now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Checking stories "Cross Country."

A federal judge boxed two key provisions of Georgia's tough new immigration law. One would require police to check the immigration status of criminal -- or suspects rather who cannot provide I.D. The other would punish suspects who transport or house someone in the country illegally.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords appears in public for the first time since being shot in the head nearly six months ago. She accompanied her husband Mark Kelly who received an award at the Houston Space Center. Affiliate KTRK reports that she received a standing ovation.

And former NC State basketball champ Lorenzo Charles dies in a bus crash. It happened yesterday in Raleigh. He was driving the bus and was the only person on board. You may remember, Charles scored the winning goal -- or the winning shot, rather, in the 1983 NCAA championship game.

Well, what's next for the former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich? The normally chatty politician had actually very little to say after a jury found him guilty on 17 of 20 corruption charges.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROD BLAGOJEVICH, FORMER ILLINOIS GOVERNOR: Patti and I obviously are very disappointed in the outcome. I frankly am stunned. There's not much left to say.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Our Ted Rowlands is live in Chicago.

So, Ted, will there be an appeal?

TED ROWLANDS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. First, there'll be a motion for a mistrial which will likely be denied by the judge. Then what Blagojevich will have happened is the sentencing. Right now, they have a status conference on August 1st.

But what's going to be interesting is if he comes in and addresses the court during the sentencing hearing, if he talks to the judge, if he admits guilt, it will give the judge an excuse, if you will, to go on the lower end of the sentencing guidelines.

But if he comes in and he thinks he's railroaded like he actually, you know, shocked that he was found guilty, if he has that attitude, it's not going to give the judge an excuse to publicly say, well, I'll give you the lower end of the sentencing.

What's he looking at? Probably between six and probably 20 years on the top end, a 54-year-old man. Bottom line is he is going to be incarcerated for an extended period of time. Then there is the appeal.

A lot of people do think that he has grounds for appeal and they will zero in likely his defense attorneys on one thing, and that is a judge's decision to limit the amount of recordings that the jury heard. They only heard what the prosecution wanted them to hear.

Blagojevich's attorneys were denied the acts or denied the right to let the jury hear all of those taped conversations which were so pivotal in this trial. That'd probably be where the defense attorneys go with it. Of course, Blagojevich has to sit in jail during the appeal process.

PHILLIPS: All right. Ted Rowlands, we'll follow it.

And if you thought Charlie Sheen was finally fading into obscurity -- well, think again. Word is he signed on to star in a brand-new sitcom. We'll have all of the details.

And he figured out how to hack into Sony's PlayStation network and Apple iPhone. What happened next? He got a job offer!

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: All right. Let's have some showbiz headlines for you.

Charlie Sheen may be back on your TV some time soon. "Radar Online" reports that he signed a new sitcom deal and he's shopping it around. Apparently, his character will be similar to his role on "Two and a Half Men." But the new show will be, as we're told, a lot more racy.

A lot less racy, hopefully, "Toy Story 4." Tom Hanks, the voice of Woody, was just asked about a fourth installment. He said he thinks there will be one. And he thinks they're working on it now. The studio, Pixar, refused to comment.

And Beyonce's fourth solo album is out today. The reviews kind of make so far. But don't feel too bad for her. This lady got 16 Grammys, hundreds of millions of dollars, and one incredibly proud life-changing memory.

Here's what she told our Piers Morgan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEYONCE KNOWLES, 16-TIME GRAMMY WINNER: I can say probably when I sang "At Last" for the president. I think you know, my father, all of his history, he grew up in Gaston, Alabama, and he was escorted to school every day because he was one of the first African-Americans in his school. And my mother, you know, in her day, she couldn't ride the front of the bus.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: So, we all know that Beyonce is an incredible dancer, too. But she's got some new competition from a cheerleader whose sassy moves have gone viral.

Zain Verjee is in London.

So, Zain, I heard you've been watching this clip all morning, all day, probably all through the night!

VERJEE: Well, you know what, Kyra, Beyonce is going to have to step to the left, to the left, because this guy is great. Take a look at this video.

China has a new cheerleader. Maybe he can come to the London for the 2012 Olympics. Look at him go there, right? This is a Chinese University student and, yes, he does have a pretty sassy attitude there, and he's got pretty good diva dance routine, a lot of people around the world is saying about him, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Do we know who he?

VERJEE: It got a half million hits. We don't have a name, no. But on the Internet, they are calling him extremely coquettish brother. That is really -- and, you know, a lot of people on the Internet are also saying this guy has got some real skills. And then someone else commented, no matter what his sexuality, you know what? It take assess real man to know how to work a sequin mini and wear a top like that.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: When you think of China, this is not really what you picture. I mean, what's the response then in China?

VERJEE: Well, it's gone viral. I mean, they have this thing. They don't have own -- they have their own version of YouTube and it's called Youku, right, and that is where the initial video was posted and then it was uploaded and there was like 419,000 hits immediately.

And after watching the Kyra Phillips show, I'm sure it will get a few more. But, yes, you don't see this kind of stuff out of China and good for him there, you know? Maybe they will distract any of the competition that China has to face when they play competitive games.

But if this guy is out there, he's going to get all the buzz. And he'll be a distraction, too, for the opposing team.

PHILLIPS: Yes, obviously. It's distracting us from our normal day, too!

Zain, thanks. That was fun.

VERJEE: Thanks.

PHILLIPS: Well, where do you go after you cause a $20 million security breach? To court? To jail? How about to work?

One man lands himself a job after making a name for himself as a hacker.

Alison Kosik at the New York Stock Exchange with the details -- Alison.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra.

You know, the question is how best to keep out a hacker out of your company. Of course, you can hire one. George Hotz, he made a name for himself by unlocking Apple's iPhone back in 2007. He left it open to be hacked.

He also figured out how to hack into Sony's PlayStation network, even posting how-to instructions online and a hacker group followed them and that caused a $24 million security breach there. Reports now say this guy has landed a job working at Facebook. And reports say a software engineer there, to work on the new Facebook iPad app.

But something tells me he is also going to veer into consulting on the security end of things.

And, you know what, tech companies, Kyra, they always say they want innovators, people who think outside the box. Hey, maybe they want to get a Hotz on their side to see how hackable Facebook is.

Keep in mind, this guy is only 21 years old, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: That's amazing. Then you wonder where that all comes from.

All right. We're seeing new pictures this morning also of these protests in Greece. Let's talk -- I mean, yesterday, the markets closed up, but we're seeing that they are getting more violent. We know how this has impacted the numbers in the past, impacted our 401(k)s.

What do you think is going to happen today?

KOSIK: As far as today goes and what you're seeing happening in Greece right now, we're seeing little reaction on Wall Street because the markets are really, Kyra, expecting Greece's parliament to pass the austerity measures tomorrow.

You know, Greece, at this point, has little choice in the matter. They have to pass thee deep cuts in order to get its next bailout installment and the folks here on Wall Street are optimistic that is exactly what's going to happen -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Alison, thanks.

And we're going to have more on the Greek protests just ahead. The demonstrators now throwing rocks and bottles to protest the drastic spending cuts and tax hikes that Alison just mentioned. We'll take you live to Athens right after the break.

And despite claims by human rights groups, an adviser to Syria's president says that the government is not attacking protests. We're on the road to Damascus.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Casey Anthony murder trial tops our -- leads our top stories right now. The meter reader who found 2-year Caylee's remains might testify, rather, today for the defense.

And a wildfire is moving closer to New Mexico's Los Alamos National Laboratory. Hazardous and radioactive materials inside are said to be secured, about 10,000 people have been evacuated from the area.

And getting under way this hour, the Senate Armed Services Committee holding nominations hearings for Lieutenant General John Allen. He is the president's pick to replace David Petraeus as U.S. commander in Afghanistan.

So, who holds the world's power? Presidents, prime minister, kings or queens, or is it really the CEOs of Google, Apple and Facebook? L.Z. Granderson is joining us next. He'll explain why he's trying to raise a nerd.

And the USS Carl Vinson will host the first-ever NCAA basketball game on an aircraft carrier. Coming up, we're going to talk to one of the coaches, Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Human rights group claim that the Syrian government is targeting protesters but an adviser to the president tells our Hala Gorani that's just not true.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOUTHIANA SHAABAN, SYRIAN PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER: We're not targeting demonstrators. I think peaceful demonstrators have made their point and they're making their points today. We have no problem with that. They have legitimate grievances. But I think it is a complex problem.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Hala is joining us now live from Damascus.

Hala, did anything this adviser say come as a surprise to you?

HALA GORANI, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Nothing came as a surprise. It fit right in with the narrative of the regime from the beginning that armed gangs are responsible for the violence. But perhaps the first time I heard Bouthaina Shaaban acknowledge that among those protesting, there are legitimate demonstrators who want more freedom and who want reform.

The big question for this government now is going to be these promises of reform, the holding of a national dialogue, the fact that they allowed some dissidents to openly and freely gather in Damascus yesterday -- whether these are empty promises or just ways to assuage the opposition while they continue the crackdown.

And this is something that many activists abroad, especially those would are free to speak against the government are concerned with. They say nothing with change in this country, Kyra, unless this regime is removed, unless it falls.

And then you have other opponents inside the country who say that they are willing to at least try to work within the framework provided by the regime, to transition Syria into (INAUDIBLE).

All that being said, this is happening against the backdrop of continuing demonstrations and deaths, because on Friday, just a few days ago, just a few days before this opposition meeting in Damascus, at least 20 people were killed in protests across the country.

PHILLIPS: All right. Hala Gorani there in Damascus for us -- Hala, thank you.

And a smell of tear gas is still hanging in the air around the Greek parliament in Athens. Thousands of people have taken to the streets for a general strike protesting those tough cuts by the government.

Our Diana Magnay actually is joining us on the phone now from Athens.

Diana, describe the scene and where exactly are you? Are you in the midst of these protests on the streets?

DIANA MAGNAY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Hi, Kyra.

We were down in the protests, but one of the protesters actually attacked my cameraman and his camera so we came up to the balcony where we have a view over the whole Old Constitution Square. Well, really in the last couple of hours now, there has been a constant wave of rioting between a sort of frontline of the protesters dressed in black, anarchists, some of them who were camped on this square for a while, and riot police using these stun grenades to create a huge noise and then firing tear gas at the protesters who have been pulling up marble and pits of pavement to throw at police. And this has been going on for a while now.

It is the first of two days of general strikes here in Athens where people have come out on to the streets to protest this austerity package which is being debated in the parliament right now. They're very angry at the prospect of further cuts to their wages, to their pensions, tax hikes.

But there is definitely a distinction that needs to be drawn between this sort of hard-core as I say on the front lines of this violence against police and the regular demonstrators who have been calling out on megaphones to not let the police or this small group ruin the point of the protest.

And what's actually interesting is to see that not many people showed up on the first day of this strike. It's possible we'll see tens of thousands tomorrow when the vote is actually -- is voted on in the parliament. But, today, the numbers have been limited, of people who've come out and protest. But it still has been extremely violent -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, we'll definitely follow the live pictures and continue to check in with you, Diana Magnay, there out of Athens, thank you.

Well, the decks of the USS Carl Vinson have seen a lot of history. Now, the carrier wants to host an NCAA basketball game. We're going to ill talk to one of the coaches, Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans, right after the break.

Plus, a grandmother speaks out about the TSA and her incredibly embarrassing airport screening.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: All right. Let's check stories making news cross country now.

In Michigan, the 95-year-old grandmother involved in the latest TSA controversy is speaking out. She admits having to remove her adult diaper to get through airport security was a wee bit embarrassing. But, overall, her take on the whole thing might surprise you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

"TSA GRANNY": Bothered me -- I just thought it was just part of their procedures. I think it bothered my daughter more than it did me because I guess I'm too old to care!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Incredible attitude.

In Louisiana, police respond to go an accident got a little more than they bargained for. Once the driver was removed, they started processing the car and found fireworks and 10 pipe bombs. The ATF was called in to help with the investigation.

In Virginia, Michael Vick's former home where he trained and abused fighting dogs is off the market. It's actually been bought by a dog rehab group. Volunteers say the idea was kind of creepy at first. But now, it seems like the perfect fit.

When Osama bin Laden was captured and killed, it was the carrier USS Carl Vinson that carried out his burial at sea.

And you may remember this. When the terrorists struck New York, it was the Vinson that answered the call.

Now, this carrier could host the most American of games. North Carolina and Michigan state could tip off in the NCAA basketball game this Veterans Day.

And joining me from East Lansing, Michigan State head coach, Tom Izzo.

Coach, this has to be a huge patriotic moment for you and the guys if, indeed, it happens.

TOM IZZO, MICHIGAN STATE HEAD COACH: Well, Kyra, I think it's going to happen and it is a huge game for everybody. I think after making a visit to Kuwait a few years ago, in fact, I did it twice to visit our troops, I couldn't be prouder or more excited about a game than we have had and we've had a lot of big games.

PHILLIPS: So, who came up with the idea, Coach? And why did you and the NCAA want to get involved?

IZZO: Well, you know, when I visited Kuwait, like I said I went twice to Camp Arifjan and -- with the USO and put on a little weekend tournament with the troops, came back and my A.D. started talking about it. We looked at it back then. We were going to do something in Jacksonville on a ship. And, you know, because of the different military issues, it took some time.

But I think you got to give a lot of credit to our military, to the navy and our athletic director, Mike Hollis (ph), who really got things going and it's been a process, but it's been pretty exciting now that it's coming to fruition.

PHILLIPS: All right. Let's talk about the court, maybe I should carrier court. We've actually got some sketches that will show what it's going to look like there on the flight deck.

Tell us how it will be transformed, and will -- are they going to bring the hardwoods there on the turf?

IZZO: Yes, they really are. I've seen the drawings myself and it's pretty exciting. I think it's going to seat about 7,000 people and most of those tickets are going to our military who more than deserve it. And I think it's going to be a great tribute on Veterans Day to them and all of the people that do so much for us and we really -- when I went over to Kuwait, I realized that winning and losing has a whole different meaning.

So, it is a way to honor our troops. I think it's being looked at that way and I think, by the way, the tickets and everything else are going to be and the setup of everything -- it's going to be completely a military situation that I'm honored to be a part of. And I'm sure Roy is, too.

PHILLIPS: Well, we're looking forward to see if indeed the deal is closed. As you said, it looks like it's going to be and we'll be watching and we'll cover it for sure.

Coach, thanks so much for joining me.

IZZO: Thanks, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: You bet.

All right. One tennis player kicks her parents off the court or actually out of the stadium, and now another is also pushing back against his mom.

Jeff Fischel, what is going on with the kids and the parents at Wimbledon?

JEFF FISCHEL, HLN SPORTS: This is one of these days when they're like, mom, you know?

The Brit Andy Murray is the sentimental favorite at the all England club, but it sounds like he may not be his mom's favorite player. Prince William and his bride Kate were in the royal box yesterday to root on their countryman. Murray later said he would have shaved had he known they were coming.

Murray beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet in straight sets to advance to the quarterfinal. He'll play Spain's Feliciano Lopez and that sets up a possible grudge match between Murray and his mom.

See, mom, Judy there? She has the hots for the husband Lopez. She called Feliciano, "Deliciano" on Twitter. Murray is not amused. She says it makes me want to throw up. It's disgusting!

(LAUGHTER)

FISCHEL: Mom not allowed to have hots for the other players.

PHILLIPS: Oops!

FISCHEL: I will have more sports in 15 minutes.

PHILLIPS: OK, I can't wait! Thanks, Jeff.

Well, coming up, our Jeanne Moos takes a look at Michele Bachmann's very busy day on Monday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Posing with a butterfly and playing dentist.

MICHELE BACHMANN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let me see your teeth.

MOOS: Did we mention officially announcing for president?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Now, the presidential contender, every word she says analyzed, debated, examined. And our Jeanne Moos does just that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, the man who found Caylee Anthony's remains could take the witness stand today. You're looking at live pictures now from Orlando, Florida.

Our legal expert Sunny Hostin is joining us from New York. So, Sunny let's talk about the meter reader here and why he is such an important witness today.

SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, TRU TV: He is an important witness for this defense. The defense theory here is that Roy Kronk, this meter reader. is the person who dumped little Caylee Anthony's body in the woods behind Suburban Drive. In the defense's opening statement, they called him a morally corrupt individual. And so it's a very important for them that he is going to testify about some of his behaviors before Caylee's remains were found.

He called 911, not once, not twice, but three times in August of 2008. He then again called 911 in December of 2008 and it was that final call in December when Caylee Anthony's remains were found.

And so the defense is really calling in to question his motives. They say that he did this for money. And we do know that he received about $25,000 all in -- related to his recovery of Caylee's remains.

And so there is a lot to be said about Roy Kronk. The defense certainly is saying that he is the bad guy in this instead of Casey Anthony. So his testimony will be very, very important to the defense if all of that comes across to this jury.

PHILLIPS: So give us the big picture where we stand right now. Who do you think has the momentum in this trial?

HOSTIN: Well, certainly at this point, the defense has the momentum and they have to have the momentum, right because it's their case in chief. The prosecution is doing an excellent job of cross- examining the defense's witnesses, but, right now, I'm told that in the courtroom, the juries -- the jury is mesmerized by the current witness, his name is Joe Jordan. He is witness number 38, and he is talking about the fact that he searched for Caylee's remains in the same area in September of 2008, but didn't find her body, her remains. So there is something to be said about this defense theory at this point, because, apparently, the jury is just transfixed. I think the momentum is theirs.

PHILLIPS: All right, Sunny Hostin. Thanks so much.

And here are some other stories that are developing later today; 12:15 Eastern, in Dresden, Germany the top ranked U.S. women soccer team faces North Korea in world cup competition.

A court hearing on appointing a defense attorney for reputed mob boss, James "Whitey" Bulger is at 2:00 Eastern in Boston.

And at 2:05 Eastern, President Obama will talk about the economy following a visit to a Bettendorf, Iowa factory.

And at 6:00 Eastern, Sarah Palin will be in Hill, Iowa for the premiere of the movie about her political career.

Stephen A. Smith says there is practically zero chance the NBA and its players will make a deal before Thursday's lockout deadline. The outspoken columnist and radio host joins us live next hour.

And ok --

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Ok so, what did you have a poster of up on your wall? Farrah Fawcett? Bruce Lee? Michael Jordan? How about Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, maybe Mark Zuckerberg? No? Well, according to our next guest. Parents you better listen up. Because it's not about raising the basketball trophy, it's about raising the GPA.

Weekly contributor, LZ Granderson, says, he's trying to raise a nerd and you should, too. That's why he wrote about it. So LZ, your son I guess is going to be the next billionaire, is that right?

LZ GRANDERSON, CNN.COM CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I don't know if he's going to be the next billionaire, but I'm really hoping that he doesn't turn out to be an idiot.

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: You know what --

GRANDERSON: That's the reason why I'm hoping he comes up to be a nerd.

PHILLIPS: Well, with a dad like you, I don't think that's going to be an issue. But seriously, you write about this lack of focus on education in our country and you're right. It seems sort of automatic when someone says, oh, your kid got a scholarship, what sport?

GRANDERSON: Right, absolutely. You know, my son is a good athlete. I'm not taking that away from him at all, and we work really hard on the weekends. We practice and, you know, I run drills with him. But we also spend a lot of time reading and talking about current events.

And he -- if I had to pick between the two, I would think he got an academic scholarship long before he got an athletic one. And it's not because he's not a good athlete it's because he really loves learning and loves being educated and I encourage that. I want him to be bookish because I think in the long run, that's going to make him more well-rounded.

PHILLIPS: So, how do you make getting good grades and being on the debate team look cool? And how will that impact us as we move forward you know, in a tough economy and in a time where it's really hard to get a job no matter how educated you are?

GRANDERSON: Absolutely. There are still certain fields that are hiring. There are still fields that can't fill these positions because there aren't enough qualified candidates. You know, my partner is a manager of a large company here in Michigan and he's constantly telling me about great jobs that he has that he can't get filled because he can't find the right candidates for it.

So while there's definitely, you know, I'm not going to argue with the numbers, we have near a 9.5, I think, unemployment rate, but there are still are a lot of jobs out there if you have the proper education, if you have the right focus.

President Obama spoke of the stem --

PHILLIPS: Oh we lost our connection there.

LZ, I apologize for that. He comes to us out of Michigan but you can read his entire piece, "Why I'm Trying to Raise a Nerd", at CNN.com/opinion. And if you like, join the conversation, leave a comment for LZ. He loves the back and forth.

All right, the Dodgers capped off a day of incredible team drama with one of their greatest offensive performances ever.

Really. Ever, Jeff Fischel?

JEFF FISCHEL, HLN SPORTS ANCHOR: Absolutely. It was fantastic and it was a very good night after a very dark day. Yesterday, owner Frank McCourt filed for bankruptcy. He and his wife Jamie are going through an ugly divorce.

For years, they've used the team as the family credit card. They may be the two most -- most hated people in L.A. right now, and they've left the team bankrupt. But last night against the Twins, the Dodgers had it working. Casey Blake, gone, the Dodgers knocked out 25 hits. Every starter had a hit, a run, and an RBI. That is the first time the Dodgers have done that since they moved from Brooklyn to L.A. in the '50s.

And then there's Matt Kemp. He leads the National League in homers of 22, 15-0 the final. Keep channelling that anger -- anger Dodgers. There's certainly enough to last for a while. Tiger's hosting Toronto, Detroit's Andy Dirk's put the bunt down, 30 second baseman Aaron Hill, the great play, but first base ump (INAUDIBLE) calls him safe. Then after consulting with the home plate ump, he reverses the call. That brings out Tiger's manager, Jim Leyland and Leyland is not happy. Mimics the ump and he gets tossed. Tigers players in the dugout were watching all of this and actually laughing. The Tigers won the game.

All right, check out this acrobatic first pitch before the Royals- Padres game in San Diego. Oh that's a Cirque du Soleil performer doing that and he throws a perfect strike. Put that again, I'm thinking and that might call that a balk. The Padres -- here he comes. That's pretty cool. Padres beat KC 4-3.

Big names in women's tennis cup bounce at Wimbledon, top seed Caroline Wozniacki she was taken out by the 24th seed, Dominica Cibulkova, the Slovakian took it 7-5 in the fourth set.

Meanwhile, the Williams sisters both lost. France's Marion Bartoli she beat Serena, 6-3, 7-6. It's just Serena's second tournament since coming back from health problems. And Venus lost -- I've been practicing all morning -- Tsvetana Pironkova also in straight sets. I watched the match. I still can't pronounce her name. Second year in the row the Bulgarian beat Venus. That wasn't them.

Here's another way to use your foot -- the 35th Annual Toe Wrestling World Championships in England. Ok, let's say it up front. There's a little eek factor here.

PHILLIPS: Yes. Oh.

FISCHEL: In the end, there was an epic battle between the two big toes. Paul "Predatoe" Beach (ph) beat Allan "Nasty" Nash. The Predatoe won. He's now your world champ.

PHILLIPS: Twisted. Something -- yes. We got to go. Thanks, Jeff.

Michele Bachmann has joined the race for the White House. Now, even more than before, every word she says will be analyzed, debated, examined and of course, our Jeanne Moos does just that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHELE BACHMANN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Together, we'll do this.

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was a day of feel good photo ops --

BACHMANN: So nice to see you.

MOOS: Posing with a butterfly. Playing dentist. Did we mention officially announcing for president? The campaign may be new, but Michele Bachmann already got a favorite line -- BACHMANN: Barack Obama will be a one-term president.

A one term president.

MOOS: The only fly in the ointment other than the one that landed on this Bachmann supporter's head, was when Chris Wallace of Fox News asked an indelicate question based on what critics have said about Bachmann.

CHRIS WALLACE, FOX NEWS HOST: Are you a flake?

BACHMANN: Well, I think that would be insulting to say something like that because I'm a serious person.

MOOS: Wallace later apologized.

WALLACE: I messed up. I'm sorry.

MOOS: You know who probably really resents questions about Michele Bachmann being a flake? Her husband. Dr. Marcus Bachmann is a clinical therapist with a degree in psychology. As she reached out to supporters, he spent the whole time holding on to her waist.

If Bachmann did become president, her son might be the first mullet in the White House.

One guy in particular has a picture of Michele Bachmann up here. No, not a mental image, an actual camera strapped to his head, that's in addition to regular hand held cameras.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The camera I'm wearing on my head, you may have noticed it's like a 6-foot-5 tripod. It's called the go pro.

MOOS: Michele Bachmann definitely noticed it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She called me doctor. She was kind of joking that I looked like a surgeon I guess.

MOOS: Freelance photographer Dave Davidson says the head cam takes a shot every few seconds. Meanwhile, Bachmann started taking shots for a supposed gaffe, speaking about her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa --

BACHMANN: Just like John Wayne was from Waterloo, Iowa, that's the kind of spirit that I have, too.

MOOS: Blogs went for the kill saying it wasn't John Wayne the actor, who is from Waterloo, but John Wayne Gacey the serial killer who lived there.

No sooner had the snarky headlines appeared Bachmann compares self to gay rapist clown serial killer and Ba'hmann's campaign told the "Washington Times" that actor John Wayne's parents did live in Waterloo, so it turned out to be a cheap shot. Unlike the shot from the head cam, this is the camera's view of Bachmann and this is Bachmann's view of the head cam. Jeanne Moos, CNN --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bring my head down like that.

MOOS: New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)